Christopher P. Dean, Member
Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.
Christopher Dean is a Member in our Health Care practice group.
Chris advises hospitals, physician groups, ambulatory surgery centers, and a wide range of health care providers on both regulatory compliance and business law matters. His practice spans traditional legal concerns and complex health care regulations, including licensing, certification, and operational issues.
He offers strategic guidance to ambulatory surgical centers and similar facilities on compliance with Maryland’s Certificate of Need program, as well as licensing and other regulatory frameworks. Chris regularly counsels clients on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and billing, federal regulations such as the Stark Law and anti-kickback statute, Maryland’s Patient Referral Law, and privacy requirements under HIPAA and HITECH, including issues related to telehealth services.
With extensive experience in value-based care models under the Affordable Care Act, Chris supports clients participating in Advanced Payment Models. This includes negotiating and drafting agreements for initiatives such as the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) model and other similar programs.
Chris also guides clients through the regulatory landscape surrounding mergers and acquisitions of health care entities, including surgery centers and professional corporations. He frequently negotiates and drafts complex management and professional services agreements between hospitals and health care professionals.
He also frequently shares his insights through speaking engagements and publications on topics like Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse, advanced payment models, and developments in health care law.
Representative Matters
Advised health systems, medical centers, physicians, and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) on compliance with the Maryland Patient Referral Law, the Stark law, and the anti-kickback statute (AKS), including the value-based care exceptions and safe harbors.
Obtained one of only two issued specific exemptions from the Maryland Patient Referral Law.
Implemented the required regulatory filings associated with the acquisition of nursing homes and the Maryland beneficial owner transparency and disclosure laws.
Represented multiple sell-side and buy-side transactions among health care providers in multiple states and with multiple sites, including acquisitions, clinical integrations, and affiliations on behalf of health systems and the sale of large professional practices to private equity and to non-profit health systems.
Provides corporate and board governance advice to health care professional trade organization.
Advises pharmacy benefit vendors on 340B issues and FDA requirements for prescription drugs.
Advised non-profit and for profit substance use disorder facilities on compliance with HIPAA, and the federal confidentiality of substance use disorder records (the 42 CFR Pt. 2 requirements).
Advises health care providers on patient privacy, federal laws, and state laws applicable to medical records and patient health information, including HIPAA, HITECH, Interoperability and breach notification requirements.
Advises ambulance providers in business transactions, regulatory compliance, and state/federal No Surprises Act involving air ambulance, ground ambulance, and ambulettes.
Obtained certificates of need and licensing approvals for new facilities and changes of ownership for ASCs, nursing homes, hospice, home health and other health care providers.
Advises clients on compliance with state and federal antitrust and anticompetitive laws applicable to restrictive covenants, horizontal competitors, and mergers.
Advises clients on Medicare and Medicaid billing and claims requirements, including pre-disclosure, during an audit, compliance with the 60 Day Rule, and voluntary self-disclosures.
Advises clients regarding the scope of supervision between health care professionals with unlimited licenses and licensed, certificated, and unlicensed individuals, including advanced practice registered nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers.
Provide joint venture guidance to partners/owners of health care providers.
Submitted proposed Stark law exception on behalf of rural medical center seeking relief from OB/GYN malpractice insurance subsidy payments.
Advised regional health systems on compliance with MSSP ACOs, other accountable care organizations, the TEAM model, the Kidney Care Choices model, and other innovative payment models under the Center for Medicare Innovation.
Represented physicians, physician assistants, social workers, and other individuals before their respective professional boards.
Honors
Named to Baltimore Magazine Top Lawyers, 2026
Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Health Care Law, 2024-2025
Professional and Civic Involvement
American Bar Association
American Health Lawyers Association
Anne Arundel County Bar Association
Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland: Peer Review Committee Member
Colchester on the Severn Community Association: Past President
Lawyers’ Campaign Against Hunger: Former Executive Committee Member
Maryland Court of Appeals (now the Supreme Court of Maryland) Mentoring Program
Maryland State Bar Association: Health Law Section Chair (2011-2012); Health Law Section Vice Chair (2010-2011); Health Law Section Council; Health Law Section Legislative Liaison; Business Law Section Member; Health Mentor Program Member
Navy Mutual Aid Association: Board of Directors
University of Baltimore Law Review: Articles Editor
University of Baltimore School of Law: Alumni Mentor Program Member
Publications and Lectures
Videos and Podcasts
Teams
Education
J.D.,
summa cum laude,
University of Baltimore School of Law,
2004
B.S.,
with merit,
United States Naval Academy,
1994
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Maryland
Bar Admissions
Maryland,
2004